Peyote (Lophophora williamsii) cactus

What is a Peyote cactus?

The oldest cacti date back 20.000 years ago. Its special looks are because of its ability to survive extreme dryness and heat. The thorns are of course the most qualifying characteristic of cacti. These are actually leaves without any moisture, which turned them into thorns. They are also there to protect a cactus against bright sunlight and from being eaten by animals. But some variants do not have thorns and protect themselves with poisons or psychoactive components. Examples are the Peyote, Sunami, Pata de Venado, Pezuna de Venado, Tsuwiri, Bishop's cap, Aztekium Retterii and Astropytum Astrias.

Cacti store water in their stems. The most effective relation between surface and contents is created by a balloon shape. The hotter the habitat of the cactus, the more balloonlike it will be; which is the case with the Peyote.

Botanical

The Peyote cactus is a small, blue/green, thornless, balloonlike plant, with small amounts of wool on top and a thick root. It can carry small pink flowers. There is a range of different varieties of the Peyote cactus: Lophophora williamsii decipiens and Lophophora diffusa are most common.

The cactus grows very slowly and under natural circumstances only flowers after ten years. It seldom becomes bigger than 15 centimetres. Peyote grows in Mexico and the south of Texas.

History

This plant played a prominent role in the religion and culture of the indigenous people in Central America. Images of the Peyote have been found, dating back long before the start of our era. The oldest image of Peyote used in ceremonies ever found is 3000 years old.

Nowadays the Peyote is still strongly respected by the original inhabitants of this region, like the Huichol, and also by researchers in entheogenics from all over the world. The Huichol are still practising the native rituals with Peyote cacti because unlike many other indigenous tribes they - in reality - have never been completely colonised by the Hispanics. They lived in such an inaccessible area that colonisation was never fully accomplished. Therefore their culture stayed intact, and the use of Peyote cacti is still relatively common in these areas. In Mexico, it's available as a medicine against infections and practically every complaint because "the mind advises how the body must be healed..."

Effects

It may take a while before the effects of the Peyote cactus can be noticed, but once the trip starts it could be one of the most beautiful and divine experiences you will ever have.

The effects of mescaline are somewhat similar to those brought about by other psychedelics like Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms, DMT containing plants or synthetic hallucinogens like LSD-25. The Peyote trip is stronger than the San Pedro trip, but so is initial nausea. A trip can last six to twelve hours.

The so-called hangover of a cactus experience comes before the actual trip starts. Cramps, vomiting and crying (tears flowing from the eyes without feeling sad) are possible symptoms. Most of these disappear within one hour after the trip has started.

Medical use

Traditionally it has been used as an analgesic, against a toothache, rheumatism, asthma and the cold.

In psychotherapy, under medical prescription, Peyote has been used for the treatment of the neurasthenia. In the same way, it has also been used in cardiology. Research has shown that it has powerful antibacterial properties, being able to eliminate bacteria that were resistant to penicillin.

Usage

The most common way to take Peyote is chewing the cactus (fresh or dried) until all mescaline has entered the body through the mucous membranes. But this is very distasteful. A way to reduce the bitterness is drinking pineapple juice during the chewing, but it will still remain quite unpleasant. The most comfortable way to consume Peyote is to fill capsules with dried and ground peyote heads. Best is not to eat approximately six hours before you start eating this cactus. You might feel little nausea before the trip begins. Some people say this can be avoided by eating ginger or smoking cannabis.

You can also make a tea of Peyote cacti by cooking them in water and adding some herbs, like the ones shamans use with San Pedro: micha (Brugmansia suavenolens) and cimorillo (Coleus blumei).

It's advisable to spread the dosage over the period of an hour, to make the initial reaction of the body less intense.

The effects of mescaline are noticeable when 100 mg is taken, but for a heavy trip, 350 mg is needed. The other compounds react with mescaline and with each other. The total experience will take six to twelve hours, and depends on the person's level of sensitivity and the dose.

It is difficult to indicate how much mescaline one Peyote cactus contains, as this depends on its age and growing conditions. The bigger and older a cactus, the more mescaline it will contain. An average mescaline dosage is about 120-300 mg, which is the equivalent of about 6-15 (or more) cacti of 2 gr.

The Peyote's roots contain no mescaline, and it is wasteful to destroy them. If the above-ground portion of the plant is cut with enough plant tissue remaining on the root (which is left planted), the plant will re-generate new heads or 'buttons'.

Remember that potency can vary greatly. Therefore it is best not to take the dosage all at once, but to build it up gradually: take half of the dosage, wait 60 to 90 minutes to see what the effect is, then if desired take half of what is left over and if necessary repeat. A Peyote trip takes about two to two and a half hours to reach its peak.

Mescaline dosages

150 mg

Minimumdosis.

150 - 300 mg

light to moderate dosage

300 - 400 mg

strong trip last 6 - 12 hours

450 - 500 mg

possible ego dissolution, trip will last about 12 hours

500 - 600 mg

definite ego dissolution, trip can last up to 24 hours

As a general guideline, 27 grams of dried Peyote contains about 300 mg of mescaline. This gives us the following table:

13,5 grams

Minimumdosis.

13,5 - 27 grams

light to moderate dosage

27 - 36 grams

strong trip that lasts 6 - 12 hours

40,5 - 45 grams

possible ego dissolution, trip will last about 12 hours

45 - 54 grams

definite ego dissolution, trip can last up to 24 hours

Warnings

Make sure you always have an experienced but sober person with you, for support and safety!

Don't drive a car or other vehicles when you're under the influence of psychedelics. Only take Peyote when you're in a safe and familiar environment. Never trip by yourself. When things go wrong Seresta or Valium can help to bring fears down to an 'easy to handle' level.

Growing

Peyote likes warmth and light. In nature, it grows in open spaces in the sun, but also under bushes or other cacti. When you grow this cactus indoors, the best place is behind the southside window; keep it out of direct sun when it's young. Giving it a little bit of water on warm days will keep it happy.

Peyote is a slow growing cactus. But it's quite easy to grow and to multiply them. You can start with seeds or a plant. Sprouts from a plant must be left dry for 15 days. It grows best on basic calcareous soils with a good drainage. Ph of 6 or 7. After placing it in a pot it only needs water, and when you put it in a new pot every year, fertilizer is not necessary.

Note that the small cactus at the start is prone to infections caused by fungi in the roots when the drainage is not good. In this case uproot, apply fungicide, let it dry for some days and replant again.

lab
29-11-2011 01:05:56

Meaning:40,5-45grams and 45-54grams.

butchey
24-10-2014 12:27:18

I think to sell this type of plant should be illegal. I am going to do everything in my power. to make this illegal to sale. it can really harm a person. I will pass a law making the sale of this desert plant a class a felony. and I will also shut this damn site down. you are selling dope. only being clever. wrong I can not let this happen.

tool
31-10-2014 19:52:25

dude youre just a royal douche bag. to you these plants might be 'dope' but too millions of people over the course of the past 3000+ years it has been a highly respected medicine for the soul. go chase some Xanax bars with a tall glass of drain cleaner you twat

Kiki
18-11-2014 16:53:41

Please don't judge what you don't understand. This is a sacred medicine plant that has been used for centuries to heal people's minds, bodies and souls. I have found this to be a difficult medicine to ingest...and the effects are soft. What are the side effects? Please watch TV and look at the Rx pharma ads. Do you want that to be your only choice? This is America. What was it based on? Huh. Natural healing isn't big money. I'll stick to nature...

???
02-03-2015 10:09:15

Peyote is medicine and we shall do everything in our power to heal the world doctors sell dope that ruin lives but who is stopping them ... yea let's stop adults from ingesting harmless plants but let's let doctors prescribed heroin derivatives and amphetamines to kids in the words of hicks hey everybody let's be hypocritical bastards ! But seriously dude the world is changing were reaching the next level of evolution and EVERYTHING is on schedule as planed by powers way out of your hands buddy what the religious folk call God is on our side so yea try and keep up ssorry to sound pretentious but there u have it thugs way down Brodsky

FreeBird
02-04-2016 06:55:52

Amen , peyote is a gift from the earth and has changed my life from a very dark sucidal path to a whole new life filled with endless love, optimistic views, courage and hope. So think again before you start runnin your mouth on somethin your Brain can't begin to comprehend. Good luck to all who truly needs this plant to show them the light!

ali
05-04-2016 06:58:02

The best guidance that you can find on the planet are the books of Carlos Castaneda, specially his earliest books like the teachings of Don Juan

foz
24-04-2016 12:18:46

World leaders need to experience ...then they will understand the true meaning of life. ! (UK )

37
01-05-2016 02:29:29

Do not judge less u b judged

Seriously
09-05-2016 22:59:56

There is something seriously wrong with a person or group of people who are hell bent on outlawing a plant. Clearly God had it all wrong. We need these fools around to "fix" nature for us to be safe... just like they "fix" everything -- and "safety" abounds these days, doesn't it?

Ignorance is sadly just a part of human nature I guess. People have always been easily brainwashed. People who know ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about psychoactive drugs are always the ones who want to ban them.

I guess many people don't know this, but peyote, mescalin, LSD, mushrooms and many other "psychedelic drugs" are NOT, I repeat NOT in the same UNIVERSE as things like crack, heroin, opiates, alcohol, meth etc. They are NOT addictive. This is not opinion, this is FACT.

Those who use peyote and other psychoactive drugs in a responsible manner are NOT doing it simply to get "high". It IS a very deep and profound religious experience. It truly is done for the sole purpose of divine spiritual wisdom and enlightenment. They are the text-book definition of HOLY and SACRED things. To be handled and used with the utmost care and respect.

So please DO SOME RESEARCH before jumping on the same old bandwagon to get something banned. EDUCATE YOURSELF. LEARN. STUDY.

Or just go off half-cocked as always. Be radically opposed to something you know nothing about. Slap on your armband and light up your torch. Don't be confused by facts -- be led by fear...

While the rest of us put in great amounts of effort to educate ourselves so we don't end up where you are.

Nature makes everyth
04-01-2017 23:12:40

To outlaw any part of Nature is a crime against Humanity. One mans cure is another cause.

Need advice
09-01-2017 04:26:03

How long from germination will plant start to produce buttons with noticeable medicinal benefits?

peyote
09-02-2017 00:26:25

It takes one dick to spoil for the rest of all the good poeple.

tattooman
24-02-2017 19:47:59

Were can i get some Peyote cacti i am Native American and use it for cerimony

Spirit Led
07-03-2017 22:20:06

You people who TOOK this land FROM the Indians, CLEARLY DO NOT UNDERSTAND how they used EVERY bit of Nature they could to heal one's body, mind, and soul. Get over yourselves!!!

Monte Theo
31-05-2017 07:33:20

Read "Doors of Perception "

Skipper
09-06-2017 06:00:36

I could feel all life, people were like little budas with beatiful souls. Heards of deer would walk right up to me with out fear. The earth was aware. It's good to step back and get a clear picture of a greater awarness. Not even in the presence of the Dali Lama did I have such clarity.

Peace and Love Broth
27-06-2017 12:25:52

Butchey is a peace of crap ! I don't belong to Butchey or anybody else , I'm grown . My mind belongs to me , my body belongs to me. No drug should be illegal . Most people do drugs , all drugs , with no problem . It is a small percentage of users that can't handle their drugs . Because they are misinformed or view their drugs in messed up ways and don't see the whole picture , like how much dose it cost , what do you feel like when you come down , does it make you to crazy , stuff like this . I use all the drugs . I'm not an addict , and if I ever chose to be an addict , I would not stay one for long , because I don't want to live like that . I have been addicted to alcohol . I quit it , because i really don't want to live like that . I used to smoke cigs when I was younger , I quit after a while , because I could see that they aren't worth it . Cigs suck , there is so much more I could do with my time and money and health . Peace love and knowledge is the answer ! Peace and Love , Eric W Parker , currently I am staying in beautiful Southern California .

Peace and Love Broth
27-06-2017 12:34:13

Skipper is talking about everyone was like little budas with beautiful souls . That's scary , that very not rite . That person has a flawed view of the world in the first place . A lot of people are dicks and creeps . You might get hurt if you think that people are all cool , especially when you are high . If you are high it is best to keep it real !

Peace and Love Broth
27-06-2017 12:38:12

Peyote knows

Peace and Love Broth
27-06-2017 12:39:46

Nature Makes Everything knows

Peace and Love Broth
27-06-2017 12:46:34

Tool knows !

Peace and Love Broth
27-06-2017 12:57:17

I've also had other creatures come amazingly rite up to me when I was very high , they could sense my Peace . Now they come up to me more often when I am not high , but they come up more when I am high yes . And I and many others notice everything is very connected . There is a greater awareness to be found , meditation can help with this and getting high alone mostly .

Peace and Love Broth
27-06-2017 13:00:30

June 27 , 2017 4:00am S. cali / Eric W Parker

L1quidSn4ke
27-09-2017 00:26:07

I want to join the anger!

I JUST DRANK A MONSTER! SHOULD THAT BE ILLEGAL TOO!?

Perforated happy pap
24-10-2017 17:09:53

I'm going to deep west Texas to eat some buttons this thanksgiving break, I can't wait.....